Power is an integral part of the human experience; it is the ability to influence and control the actions and decisions of people and can manifest itself in several forms. On an individual level, people can use their attributes, skills, deceit, and values to gain influence over others. However, administering power on the global level is bound to yield considerably more negative consequences for the neighboring countries and worldwide. Nowadays, the USA, Russia, and China exhibit more influence in the global picture compared to others. To be more exact, their influence extends to Iraq, Ukraine, and Tibet, respectively. Overall, certain countries’ powerful influence on the global scale can bear unsatisfactory outcomes and impact the whole world.
The power one has on an individual level can often be underestimated, but it is still capable of influencing the behavior of others. People can use their power to get others to subscribe to their demands in various ways, such as persuasion, emotional manipulation, and charismatic leadership (Ruggie, 2018). Through influence, people can use their power to get others to agree with their demands, which often involves using logical and emotional appeals to convince others of their point of view. For example, a political activist may use persuasive language to persuade fellow citizens to join their movement.
Additionally, individuals can use their power of emotional manipulation to get others to subscribe to their demands, which often involves playing on people’s feelings and emotions to get them to do what they want. To elaborate, a salesperson might use fear tactics to convince customers to buy their product. On the other hand, individuals can use their power of charismatic leadership to get others to follow their demands, which often involves displaying charisma and creating strong loyalty among followers (Ruggie, 2018). For instance, a religious leader may rally people with a powerful sermon to encourage them to follow their teachings.
Power can be divided into two categories: hard and soft. Hard power is obtained through physical force, economic sanctions, or military might. On the other hand, soft power is obtained through culture, values, and ideas. Countries gain power through military and economic strength, while they gain soft power through international relations and diplomacy. The ability of a government to gain control is based on a variety of factors, such as its population size, economic strength, and military might (Ruggie, 2018). Additionally, countries can increase their power by forging alliances, expanding their influence, and leveraging their resources. Once a country has gained strength, it can turn it into authority, which can be done by establishing laws and regulations, creating a unified government, and implementing a system of justice. Additionally, countries can use their power to acquire resources, expand their territory, and protect their citizens.
The power dynamics of international relations are primarily determined by a country’s economic, political, and military capabilities. Some countries can leverage their resources to exert more power and authority over others, while other countries are limited in their ability to do so. This unequal distribution of power and control can lead to the perception of some countries being “weaker” than others on the global stage. Some countries have more power and authority than others due to various factors, including the size and population of the country, its wealth and resources, the quality of its government, its military capabilities, and its role in the global economy (Kendall, 2020). Having less power and authority does not necessarily make a country weak globally. For example, a small country may have fewer resources and a weaker military. However, it may have a strong presence in the international community due to its diplomacy, trade relations, and other forms of soft power. Ultimately, a country’s power and authority are determined by how it is perceived and interacted with by other countries and its policy decisions.
The Pluralist and Elite models are two of the most widely accepted power models. The Pluralist Model highlights power being widely distributed among different societal groups (Mulvey, 2021). The model posits that power is shared among other groups, such as economic, political, and social elites, and that no single group has a monopoly on power (Mulvey, 2021). On the other hand, the Elite Model emphasizes the idea of power being concentrated in the hands of a minor, privileged group of individuals (Ponton, 2018). This model suggests that these elites are the only ones who have the resources and ability to make decisions and shape policy.
The Pluralist Model is seen as the more democratic model of power, allowing for more voices to be heard and different opinions to be considered when making decisions. However, it can be difficult for other groups to find common ground and agree on solutions because of the ability of many groups (or individuals) to exercise authority independently (Eynaud et al., 2021). Additionally, the Pluralist Model only sometimes creates a level playing field, as some groups may have more influence than others (Eynaud et al., 2021). The Elite Model has its advantages since the Elite groups are usually well-resourced and able to make decisions quickly and effectively, which can be beneficial in times of crisis, where fast and decisive action is needed (Kendall, 2020). However, this model can lead to inequality and a lack of accountability, as the elites are less likely to be affected by the decisions they make.
In the last 20 years, the United States, Russia, and China have displayed great power and authority over Iraq, Ukraine, and Tibet. Russia has demonstrated its power and control over Ukraine in several ways. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, which caused a rift between the two countries, further leading to the current war ongoing on the land of Ukraine (Kendall, 2020). Naturally, the battle between both countries severely affected the global economy and imports in the European Nation, resulting in the high prices of gas and fuel (Pistilli, 2022). In fact, the sanctions placed on Russia by the EU, NATO, and the USA yielded negative consequences to the countries forbidding their economic collaborations with the war aggressor.
The United States has significantly influenced Iraq since the turn of the 21st century. In March 2003, the United States invaded Iraq, overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s regime and installing a new government. Since then, the United States has provided significant military and economic support to Iraq, including the deployment of tens of thousands of troops, the provision of billions of dollars in aid, and the training of Iraqi security forces. In 2010, the United States concluded the Strategic Framework Agreement, which established a comprehensive framework for Iraq’s security, economic, and diplomatic engagement. In addition, the United States has played an active role in Iraq’s internal politics, working with Iraq’s government to shape its policy and promote political reconciliation. In recent years, the United States has become increasingly involved in Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State, providing military and economic support to the Iraqi government and coordinating with regional partners to counter the terrorist group. Therefore, even though the USA plays a pivotal role in defeating the Islamic state, it is likely that it shapes the Iraqi government with the benefit to itself, which consequently can impact the neighboring lands.
China has demonstrated great power and authority over Tibet throughout history. Since the People’s Republic of China invaded in 1950, Tibet has been under the control of China, which has been done through the use of military force, suppression of religious beliefs and practices, the establishment of a Chinese-led government, and the restriction of access to the region. Additionally, the Chinese language and culture have been imposed upon the Tibetan people, and policies that encourage the migration of Han Chinese to Tibet have been implemented (Kendall, 2020). As a result, many Tibetan people have faced displacement, economic hardship, and cultural erosion.
To sum up, the imposition of power on Ukraine, Tibet, and Iraq has significantly impacted the global order, exacerbating geopolitical tensions and straining relations between the major powers. It has led to violence, displacement, and human rights violations, which has profoundly affected the countries involved and the international community. The employment of Pluralist and Elite models allows the aforementioned countries to exercise their authority on a global level, which negatively impacts the economy on the local or worldwide scale.
References
Eynaud, P., Laville, J., Banerjee, S., Avelino, F., Hulgård, L., & Santos, D. L. (2021). Theory of Social Enterprise and Pluralism: Social Movements, Solidarity Economy, and the Global South (Routledge Studies in Social Enterprise & Social Innovation) (1st ed.). Routledge.
Kendall, D. (2020). Sociology in our times: The essentials 67(6), 257-275. Cengage Learning. Web.
Mulvey, B. (2021). Pluralist internationalism, global justice and international student recruitment in the UK. Higher Education, 84(1), 1–16. Web.
Pistilli, F. (2022). Ukraine war: What are the impacts on the world today? The IRC. Web.
Ponton, G. (2018). Pluralist and elitist theories of political processes. In Theories of Welfare 78(8),132–159. Routledge. Web.
Ruggie, J. G. (2018). Multinationals as a global institution: Power, authority and relative autonomy. Regulation & Governance, 12(3), 317-333. Web.